HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-29 CorrespondenceFebruary 13, 2000
Northside Neighbors Oppose Funding Request from "Successful Living"
Dear Members of Iowa City' s Housing & Community Development Commission,
We ask you to deny the funding application presented to the City of Iowa City by
Theresa Kopatich of "Successful Living" in which she requests $200,000 to purchase a
house at 214 Church Street. The organization's proposal addresses needs identified in
our community. However, missing from this application is any recognition of the
dramatic negative impact of this proposed housing, given the existing concentration of
residential treatment facilities in our neighborhood.
Concentration of transient housing within a single area is bad public policy. It
inadvertently creates blighted areas of town, which undermines goals of integration
into the community. The accompanying density, traffic and crime encourages
neighborhood destabilization.
We also question whether it is sound fiscal policy to give tax dollars to a property which
already received significant tax dollars when it was first converted to a treatment facility
and removed from the tax rolls. We were hoping that this stately property, two houses
from the University President's home, would follow a trend of Northside rooming
houses and return to an owner-occupied home.
The Northside values diversity. We are already doing our share of providing low-cost
housing to the community, both in the private and public sector. Six residential
treatment facilities are currently located in the Northside. Two "Successful Living"
properties and the Emergency Shelter house over 60 transients within blocks of each
other. Rooming houses, offering affordable "SRO" units, are located throughout our
neighborhood.
"Successful Living's" desire to purchase the home at 214 Church Street would add 8
more units for transients. We understand the Emergency Shelter is also interested in
another house on the Northside. As agencies respond to a rising demand in their
services, we ask for your support in limiting further expansion of residential treatment
facilities into the Northside Neighborhood.
509 Brown Street Iowa City, IA 52245 (3 19) 354-0953
Northside neighbors hfive been meeting over the past year to discuss problems caused
by transitional housing and residential treatment facilities located in our neighborhood. It
is very difficult to attract or retain families to live near these facilities. Those of us who
make our homes here are not willing to accept increasing the risk to our safety and
security.
The Northside is a neighborhood steeped in character, made up of a group of individuals
and families (low, moderate and high income) who value the richness of our
community's history and represent its diversity. We do not choose to live in the nearby
gated communities and pristine suburbs.
We are the model "traditional neighborhood" that the city hopes to create in the
"neotraditional" development on the Peninsula - with the added benefit of history and
location to the city center. Many of us are fortunate to walk to work and school from
our homes. We wish to protect our neighborhood school, grocery store, pizza parlor,
gas station, and several well-maintained parks and playgrounds.
As residents of the historic Northside, will cannnot stand by and silently watch bad
public policy destroy our neighborhood.
Please deny the funding request from "Successful Living" and assist us in our efforts to
make the Northside a safer and more secure place to live.
Thank you for your support. ~~ ~ ~ ~)~ ~)O~_~agt~,
Sincerely, ?%-cff ~ ~ ~ 3~? d~--e-///
Northside Neighbors ~ ~ ~D/'~ ')'l- L
v A ~
cc: Mr. Ste e tkins, City Manager
Ms. Karin Franklin, Director, Planning & Community Develoment
Mr. Steve Long, Housing and Community Development Commission Staff
509,-Brown Street Iowa City, IA 52245 (3 19) 354-0953
509 Brown Streeti Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) 354-0953
:-
506 Terrace Road
Iowa City, IA 52245
2/20/00
Dear City Council Members:
For the record, I am absolutely against the First Avenue Extension. Iowa City is already a
hazardous place for pedestrians with flagrant moving violations everywhere--people
regularly driving 45 mph in 25 mph zones, treating right on red as a green arrow and
running red lights everywhere with proportionately few citations. Everyone knows how a
major through street from 80 would effect the residents, particularly with the high school
there. Please vote "no" on this issue.
Paul
Iowa City Council
410 East Washington Street
Iowa City IA 52240
Re: First Avenue Extension
I grew up in Chicago which has an orderly street plan which enables one to know exactly
where a building is anywhere in the city by seeing the address, and one knows how to get
there. In the Sixties we were transferred to Cedar Rapids where the local slogan was
"You Can't Get There From Here."
I have now lived in Iowa City (which I love) for four years but the motto still stands...
with a vengeance. One only has to look at a map to see that the Northeast side of Iowa
City is forced into awkward travel patterns, particularly in going North. And, one can
see by that same map that the extension of First Avenue to Captain Irish Parkway is a
sensible, necessary step.
The friends of Hickory Hill Park have been vociferous in laments that the road would
ruin the park and their lives forever. Hey, this is a City park they are talking about.
City parks usually are fringed by houses and businesses, and from what I can see on the
maps, the extension would not even touch the Park.
As to the inadequacy of First Avenue to be an arterial road. ..that is a given. Besides
being only two lanes, the traffic congestion at the First Avenue/Court Street and First
Avenue/Rochester Streets both before and at~er school is bad. Also the northern section
of First Avenue is hilly. However, having an access to North Dodge Street and 1-80
would truly be a godsend for local residents and emergency vehicles.
So long as the Scott Boulevard extension is completed at the same time I believe the City
should go ahead with the project.
Sincerely,
Copy to: Planning and Community Development Dept. ~- )
I~lO01
02/22/00 10:20 t~319 339 5725 TWAIN ELEMENTARY .................
Mark Twain School
135,5 DeiForest Avenue
' lower City', lowa 52240
Stephen A. Auen, PhD. Phone (319)339-6864
Principal FAX .( 3 i 9'}339-5725
· Dear Mayor and Council Members:
The Iowa City physical'educatilm teachers and ttte American Heart
Association will again be sponsoring the tenlh annual Iowa C~ty Community-
Wide Jump Rope for Heart on Thursday, March 2, 2000, The event will be
held at the University of Iowa Recreation Building from 9:00-11:00 a.m..Last
year 978 elementary student.¢ from the Iowa City Community Schools
participated in this fun and worthwhile event. They collected $45,328.48 for
the American Heart Association,
Each participant is a member of' a team of six students. Team members take
turns jumping for two minute ~;tervals. Throughout the morning music will
be provided by Murphy Sound...~ warmup and cool down will be led by the
Dance of Iowa and the kids will i>e getting a great workout)
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to come anti either
observe, cheer on or lump with us in finis exciting event. We look forward to
seeing you at this great district ~ride event on March 2rid,,
JumpRope For Heart Committee
Irene Bowers, physical education ',~eae!~el:
i think this artic!~ :nay touch the ,¢nemor'y' of a great
nunher of local citizens. ~.s you re lle~.aber, i mentioned before
that i never throw out anything. Y was ~lad yesterday to find
so.uethin~? in the file that would .aakea good story. khe ite~
was a hone ,asde boo.~ calIed "The Fsr.n book" date~ 19~1-32. This
was a book telling all about the trip that ay first grade class
nude to the i{al Dane fa.r.n, i~.~ 19D1.
i will begin by recalling that oohn Dane and I started
University ~lementary School in ~unior f-rimary in 1030 and in
~first grade) so.nething ~;as started which has
our seconnd year, ~
continued for 59 years. 2his Oig soLvething is now done several
ti~es s ys?.r for both children and adults. ~ refer of course to
the Do'no family opening their faro to groups so that children
can get a first hand looi~ at the ani-aals and the faradtrig operation
~hen our class went to the fsr.n we were shown around by a ~.m Lee,
father of ~lober% S. Lee of oai~oll ~rive. i do remember that
the last thing that happened was that we all received a very large
su.~a,r cookie from ~s.!-ial ~ane. i understand that this cool{ie
treat carried on until 1952 when the senior .Danes left the farm
~nd the opera%ion moved up the hill to Johns area. i~o~, instead
of a cookie, the ~roup is treated to an ice cream cone from the
Dane dairy down on the highway.
This farm book contains all the letters we sent and
it has the list of rules we ~mde up before we went to the farm.
They include "say pardon :ae when you walk infront of someone"
"Don't interrupt and pay attention when someone is trying to tell
you something" "don' t stop and play with toys" and finally "explain
things to h p
We also -'a~ a es fo~ going to the farm,"Don't
touch things", "Don't run"V3tsy in your g~oup~"'~on't run out in
the rosd"."Don't go in the bsra alone" and of all th~ngs"~on't
chase shy ani~nals".~-~rned with these rules we went to the farm
and had a me~aorible day. ko this day, ~eorge ~ane, john'~ older
brother, tell people that I dro~vn two cats and let out all the
chickens by leaving the chicken house doo~ open. it's not true,
I did try to see of cats could swin but ~,ohn pulled them to safety
out of the stoc~ tank before they
The book tells of two ~ssenblys we had, one for just
second grade and the other in the spring for the entire grade
schoo~ kou will recognize a few hones frown the prog~a~a. Jane
i~.lc~c as the annoUncer ,;,nit iiou.~r told. why w~ went to the far!n,
~,an t ~eterson talked about the oull,~ob .!e~zmt talked aOout
the silo,John Danes talk was a'Oout co~/s and the two ushers were
Chuck i~ent and Carolyn f'orter. The boy who ran the victrola used
the name Clarke Louis,later .~orwood C. and finally "~ud".
the second asse.ably a few ~aore no.ass appeared tha~ yo~ may reme.aber,
Other trips fro a the school ~ere d m ook.
.je visited Lagomarcins-~roup ~,hoiesale house and learned all
about ripening bananas, bat when we left we got an apple instead
of a banana. ~we went to Zidwells dairy ann all got an ice cream
cone when we left. You can see I re.nember the food part the best.
One iast thing the book reports on was the garden we
grew, (guess who it said was inchurge of furtilizer) Our garden
was so successful that we ~'nade soup and invited the second grade
in to enjoy it. Poor helen j-ra~ spilled some on her arm and got
a burn but she was soon alright. i feel it is ti:ne to sppologize
to the ancestors of our sweet, quiet softspoken principal, .tude
.lc ~roo,n. It seem that so~ne of the other kids called her "Old
l,ady oroo :nstic k"
.~iell the ~nes report that they have dozens of far.a
tours a year and that they finally rounded up all the chickera.
Iowa Cily, Iowa 52242-1009
319-356-1489 ]"el
319-353- 7692 Fax
Dear Members of the City Council and Parks & Recreation Department:
We are members of a group of community providers serving adolescents with mental health
and substance abuse problems. We believe a community assets approach, enhancing our
Iowa City climate for young people, is essential to reducing the use of drugs and alcohol and
helping our youth value and support their community. In recent meetings, we have
discussed the skate park project as having fine potential for youth development, and we
want to offer our support and assistance.
We strongly support the establishment of our community's skate park to be a first-rate facility
in whichever of the three locations is decided upon. Skateboarding and inline skating are
growing in their status as sports and have the advantages of being relatively inexpensive to
pursue, exciting and challenging to perform, suitable for a wide age span, and clearly a lot of
fun for participants. Beyond the value of the activity itself, however, is the value of providing
an opportunity for youth responsibility and leadership. The only way a skate park will be a
good thing for anvone is if it is a good thing for everyone, and as it will not to be under the
direct and constant supervision of Parks & Recreations staff as the swimming pools are, it
will be up to the young people themselves to make it a good .thing.
We see this as a great opportunity to identify the strengths among our young people,
encourage them, and assist them in establishing management principles and rules
enforcement. Our group of five has agreed to represent the larger group of community
providers in starting to explore ways to manage the activities at the skate board park so that
they will be sportsmanlike, free of illegal substances and violence, and available to younger
and older skaters, beginners as well as experts. We believe that young people themselves
can do this and do it well. Youth should be in the majority of any managing group that is
formed to oversee use of the facility, but we would be pleased to offer our help as
consultants and facilitators to them as they explore ways and means.
Again, we want to stress our support for this skate park. It is the kind of project that makes it
exciting and rewarding to live in Iowa City, and it gives us an opportunity to make a positive
difference in our young people's sense of community.
Poll;~i~oOIs Kelh
Educational Services Youth Homes
UIHG Child Psychiatry
o Dan 8hsffer
Juvenile Gourt Services ~__ L/her~Se/~
Sam Mackenzie, M.D.
UIHG Family Medicine
eff~f 1033 E. Washington
L Iowa City, IA 52240
February 10, 2000
Ernie Lehman, Mayor
902 Wylde Green Rd.
Iowa City, IA 52246
Dear Mayor Lehman:
Relative to the issue of the amount of land that is now under jurisdiction
of the Parks & Recreation Department and that department' s present (and
potential) budget restrictions, I would like to make two general
observations.
First, as per almost all the land within the city limits of Iowa City, we
are talking about what is generally classified as riverine forest. This can be
lowland (and generally softwood) forest or upland hardwood forest or
some combination. However it's classified, and like most natural areas, it is
largely self-regulating--which means you don't basically have to do
anything; nature takes care of itself.
Somehow, we have come to believe that everything must be "managed"
Mand at some quantifiable cost. This is not true. We have significant wild
areas in Iowa City where not one cent of public or private money has been
spent in maintenance that are beautiful, bountiful (although not in
measurable $$$), and a total joy to all.
The city acquired properties for the new water wells (on the north side
of 1-80), and has imposed a "management plan." Part of this plan is to
transform what was naturally riverine forest into prairie (which it never
was). Immediately, the fencerows from the old farming patterns were torn
out, which resulted in the immediate magnification of noise from 1-80 and
the quarry in all the adjoining neighborhoods (KXIC, Wendram Bluff,
Forest View trailer court, and beyond). Trees (and fencerows) absorb
noise; prairies (natural or otherwise) do not.
Likewise, on the peninsula, the city is now involved in promoting an
entirely false ecosystem (prairie) on what is naturally riverine forest.
Certainly this will be costly, but only because you are fighting nature
rather than accepting and living within it.
The affection for prairie in Johnson County, among a very articulate
group of advocates, has skewed all kinds of matters in questionable
directions. I don't have a lot of trouble understanding this. Prairie (or at
least a rough facsimile) is fai~y easy to create throw out some seeds and
bum a few times, and voilfi, prairie! Woodlands are a bit more difficult
and always call into question our hubris as "managers." Who, after all, can
"create" a woodland? Only God, the goddess, Allah, Mother Nature, or
your choice of deity.
My point, is that you can bankroll any amount of land you want in the
confines of Iowa City and one of the above deities will take perfect care of
it--and at no charge for as long as you want. And given the escalating
prices of natural areas in our city limits, I wouldn't hesitate to bankroll as
much as you can afford to buy at current prices.
My second point also relates to budget concerns. Knowing the myriad
other demands that come before the council, I would encourage you (and
the Parks & Recreation Commission) to take maximum advantage of citizen
involvement in the maintenance of our public parks and recreation
facilities. Be honest with people. If dollars are short, tell us that. Ask for
help. Everyone I know wants more and better parks and recreation
facilities. Tell us what you want us to do to make that happen we can
rake, paint, scrub, haul, and chop. If we have volunteers in schools,
library, and hospitals, we can also have them in our parks.
Copies to: councilors
Steve Atkins Sincerely,
Terry Trueblood
Jim Walters
I Lutheran Campus Ministry at The University
26 East Market Street Rev. Robert Dotzel, Campus Pastor
Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) ~38-7868 Pamela Larabee- Zierath, Lay Associate
E-mail LCM-ELCA@uiowa.edu Web Page: Http://www.uiowa.edu/~lcmelca
Iowa City Council
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Dear Councilors:
I am writing expzess my support £ot a local m:dinance which would allow only those of
miv_imum legal drinking age into drinking establishments. High risk underage dinking costs
out community dearly in both the economic and social zealms. Such an ordinance would
save the City in enforcement and dean up costs and increase the quality of life downtown
for all citizens.
Iowa City is one of very few conunifies across the state and nation that allows people
below the minimum legal drinking age to enter bars. Despite the best intentions of bar
owners, it is unrealistic to expect that under-age pattons will zefrain from alcohol
consumption once allowed entrance to the establishment. I feel we must do all we can to
assist ouz young people in making healthy choices and allowing 18 year old access to bars is
inconsistent with thi.q philosophy.
Iowa City prides itself on being a diverse and inviting community. Restricting access to
under-age clinkers would chive a vital new late night market for a population of
approximately 10,000 University of Iowa students under the age of 21. It is time for Iowa
City to do the zight thing and promote healthy choices for our young citizens. Please restxict
access to bars to those of minimum legal chinking age.
Sincerely,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Marian Karr
From: Tom Rocklin [trocklin@home.corn]
Sent: Friday, February 11,2000 6:00 PM
To: council@ iowa-city.org
Subject: Underage admission to Iowa City bars
Council Members:
Suppose that a ordinance came before the Council that would allow,
for the first time, people under the legal drinking age to enter
bars. It's hard to imagine why the people of Iowa City would support
such an ordinance. Why don't we take the logical step, then, and
change our current ordinance so that underage drinkers are not
allowed in bars?
People in bars drink, and many underage people in bars attempt to
drink illegally. No matter how careful the bar's staff is, in an
environment that mixes alcohol and underage patrons, underage
drinking is inevitable.
I recognize that bars provide nearly all of the late night
entertainment available to young adults in this community. That
doesn't have to be the case. I am confident that when 10,000 college
students under the age of 21 are not permitted in bars, our
community's entrepreneurs will step forward to find a way to
entertain them.
Excluding underage drinkers from bars in Iowa City will lead to more
diverse entertainment opportunities and make downtown, particularly
in the evening, a more attractive destination for all members of the
community.
Please find a workable way to exclude people who can't legally drink
from drinking establishments.
Tom Rocklin
2 Forest Glen
Iowa City IA 52245
319.338.8779
02~29-00
2c(12)
FEB 2 3 2000
CITY MANAGEI?'S OFFICE
Iowa Ck7 Cougd
41_0 E. WasEqgton St=eet ~
Zo~ Ci~, ~ 52240
Dear Councilors:
I am writing express my support for a local ordinance which would allow only those of
minimum legal drinking age into drinking establishments. High ~isk underage drinking costs
our community dearly in both the economic and social realms. Such an ordinance would
save the City in enforcement and dean up costs and increase the quality of life downtown
for all citizens.
Iowa City is one of very few communities across the state and nation that allows people
below the minimum legal drinking age to enter bars. Despite the best intentions of bar
owners, it is unrealistic to expect that under-age patrons will refrain from alcohol
consumption once allowed entrance to the establishment. I feel we must do all we can to
assist our young people in making healthy choices and allowing 18 year old access to bars is
inconsistent with this philosophy.
Iowa City prides itself on being a diverse and inviting community. Restricting access to
under-age drinkers would drive a vital new late night market for a population of
approximately 10,000 University of Iowa students under the age of 21. It is time for Iowa
City to do the ~'~t and promote healthy choices for our young citizens. Please restrict
access to bar ' o those minimum 1 gal drin ' g g . ~' '
st f e kinae '
Marian Karr M
From: Amy Kolen [AMY-KOLEN@uiowa.edu]
Sent: Friday, February 11,2000 10:45 AM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Expansion of Oakland Cemetery into HHPark
Dear Members of the Council:
As an Iowa City resident, I would like to add my voice to all the others
who strongly oppose the idea of further expanding Oakland Cemetery into
Hickory Hill Park.
To put it briefly, Hickory Hill Park is a unique and naturally fragile area
in a town where green space is becoming more threatened each year. Those
of us who enjoy the park regularly are well aware of the detrimental
changes to the ecology of the area that future development surrounding the
park will create. The character of this area must not be compromised
further.
If you really believe that it's the City's responsibility to maintain a
cemetery business, then look elsewhere for land that's more suitable and
less expensive to develop. Leave Hickory Hill Park intact and dedicate all
36+ acres under discussion as Hickory Hill Park land.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Amy Kolen
Marjan Karr
From: Emily Martin [emilyjmartin@home.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 8:29 PM
To: council@iowa-city.org
Subject: Arts Iowa City
Hello all,
I would like to urge you all to vote yes on the $15,000 Public Art
agreed to give Arts Iowa City. It would be terrible to for the
organization to lose the above ground space! You supported the Englert
don't neglect Arts Iowa City.
Emily Martin,
past president of Arts Iowa City and 28 year resident of Iowa City
Barbara M. Buss 747 West Benton Street Iowa City, IA 52246
319-351-3309 e-mail: 72703.2457@compuserve.com
February 22, 2000 ~ ~ _ .~-
Iowa City City Council ~ C~, ''~: ~
410 E. Washington Street ~ ~-~ ~
Iowa Ci~, IA 52240 ~'~'~
To the Mayor and Members of the Iowa Ci~ Ci~ Council: ~/~ ~.,~
c~
Several weeks ago, when it was still dark at 5:00, I was running a few last minute errands
downtown. The streets were not only dark, but cold and relatively emp~. As I hurried along I
met a friend who greeted me with, "The Ci~ Council just agreed to give $500,000 to help buy
the Engle~" I then went into a shop where the owner gave me the same message. Their
enthusiasm was as bright and warm as the streets were dark and cold.
That my sample is a rather small one, and that the actual amount allocated by the Ci~ Council
turned out to be less than $500,000 is not really impomant to my purpose in writing to you
now. Contra~ to those who share Mr. Schlapkohl's notion that the Engle~ "is only an old
theater" (Iowa Ci~ Press Citizen, 2/22/00), "Saving the Englem" has become an exercise in
optimism for those of us who are not prepared to see downtown Iowa Ci~ lose the qualities
that draw us to it.
As a ~xpayer, I appreciate the responsibili~ which is yours to spend our money carefully. But
I believe that this responsibili~ e~ends to your investing in the character and the spirit of the
Ci~ as well as in its streets and buildings.
I want to thank those of you who voted to give the citizens of Iowa Ci~ a chance to exercise
their optimism about the future of Iowa Ci~ by helping their effo~ to shape the changes to its
downtown. Your vote was an act of leadership in affirming the vitali~ of Iowa Ci~.
Sincerely yours,
Barbara Buss